(CBS) NEW YORK New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leaving the Republican party and will remain unaffiliated with any political party, CBS 2 HD learned Tuesday night.

The move will clearly begin advancing rumors that the mayor is gearing towards a presidential run, which he has denied in the past.

In a statement, however, the 65-year-old billionaire mayor indicated this doesn't change his plans for his political future.

"I have filed papers with the New York City Board of Elections to change my status as a voter and register as unaffiliated with any political party. Although my plans for the future havenâ€™t changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our City."

He was barely a Republican before - it'll be interesting if they start doing 3 way Presidential polls.

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He is sooooo running. I know very little about his politics, except that people on the left like him, and describe him as being liberal sometimes, or like Arnold S. I say that because it's exactly why bopping the party bible is so stupid. No two people are the same, so how could an entire party? Of course most pols have to pick a side, D or R, in order to have a chance politically. I'm curious to see what he does, and what his idea's are. Lord knows we could use more donkey's in this race.